More than 50 years after independence, Filipinos still chafe—and cheer—at the lingering legacies of U.S. colonialism

A century ago, the United States brought a new version of empire to
the Philippines, and only reluctantly lowered the flag at its last
military outposts there in 1992. Between times, an extraordinary
relationship grew up between Americans and Filipinos, constantly
veering between affection and outrage, and perhaps best summed up
by demonstrators' signs during a recent dispute: "Yankee Go Home —
And Take Me With You!"

America came to the Philippines in 1898 when Commodore George Dewey, whose
famous command at Manila Bay, "You may fire when you are ready,
Gridley," demolished the antiquated Spanish fleet in a sideshow to
the war between the United States and Spain over Cuba. But the
United States soon took over the whole archipelago. Filipinos were
outraged; a bloody guerrilla war followed between U.S. forces and
Filipino patriots with many barbarities committed by both
sides.

By 1935 the Philippines had received quasi-independent
commonwealth status with full independence promised within ten
years, but World War II intervened. Under Gen. Douglas MacArthur,
American and Filipino soldiers fought the Japanese invaders
together. Full independence came to the shattered country on July
4, 1946.

Or did it? Many Filipinos argue that Uncle Sam went right on
exploiting the country. United States' use of Philippine ports and
military bases during the Vietnam War renewed local outrage.
President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda ruled the country
for 21 years with what seemed to Filipinos the tacit approval of
the United States.

But there is another side to the story. America's greatest and
most lasting contribution was the Philippines' system of free,
universal education. A free press, public works, public health and
American-style justice were also important colonial gifts. Ed and
Sally Kiester travel to the Philippines to discover America's
continuing and conflicting legacies.